Defense Intelligence Agency: "Possibility of Some North Korean Soldiers Being Deployed to the Frontline"

The Defense Intelligence Headquarters stated on the 30th that there is a possibility that some advance units of North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been sent to the front lines.

During the National Assembly Intelligence Committee's audit held that day, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters reported this information, according to Lee Seong-gwon of the People Power Party and Park Seon-won of the Democratic Party, who are the committee's floor leaders.

In response to questions about foreign media reports on North Korean troops being deployed to the front lines, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters said, "There is no accurate information yet that the deployed North Korean troops have been sent to the front lines," but added, "There seems to be a possibility that some advance units have been deployed to the front lines." They also stated, "It is true that the movement to battlefields such as Kursk is imminent." Regarding some foreign media reports claiming North Korean military casualties, they responded, "There is no information to support that."

Regarding the organization of the deployed North Korean troops, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters explained, "It seems more likely that they will operate in a mixed formation with the Russian military rather than conducting combat independently through their own North Korean military organization," adding, "Due to language and regional issues, it is quite difficult to conduct combat independently, and a mixed formation would be more efficient."

On North Korea-Russia relations, they analyzed, "The blood alliance relationship is fundamentally changing, and in the process, they are exchanging support to strengthen mutual defense capabilities," and "It is especially judged that North Korea will pursue not only the adoption of Russia's space and advanced military technology but also the modernization of conventional forces."

Regarding North Korea's future provocations, the Defense Intelligence Headquarters stated, "They will attempt to highlight the nuclear issue before the U.S. presidential election," and "It appears that internal preparations at the nuclear test site in Punggye-ri have been completed." They also said, "Preparations for long-range ballistic missiles, including space launch vehicles and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-class missiles, also seem to be nearly complete. Preparations for transporter erector launchers (TELs) have been completed, and they are deployed in specific areas," adding, "They are not mounted on launch pads." Furthermore, they forecasted, "An ICBM launch to verify atmospheric reentry technology may take place," and "It is likely to occur around the U.S. presidential election in November."